Letters

Boat people

George F. Simpson

Contents - Feb 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: St Thérèse's relics: a pilgrimage of grace - Peter Westmore Archbishop Philip Wilson sets out his agenda for Adelaide - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Melbourne Archdiocese: positive trend in priestly vocations continues - Fr Paul Stuart Into the Deep Forum: young Catholics meet Australian bishops - Helen Ransom US Conference: 'Newman's Idea of a University' - Msgr Michael J. Wrenn Homily: Most Rev Geoffrey Jarrett installed as new Bishop of Lismore - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett Books: 'Meaninglessness' and today's Western culture - Archbishop George Pell The Church in South Korea: dynamic and fast-growing - Pat O'Brien Catholic schools and 'youth spirituality' - John Kelly Letters: Remarkable man - Elizabeth Gilmour Letters: Liturgical abuses - Michael Baker Letters: School Masses - Br Con Moloney CFC Letters: Crisis of faith - Mavis Power Letters: Intellectual groups - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Boat people - George F. Simpson Letters: Refugees - Arthur Negus Letters: Islam - Andrew Sholl Letters: Real Presence - Philip Robinson Letters: Human evolution - Fr Brian Harrison OS Letters: Overcoming evil - Mary Beaumont Letters: Book search - Grace O'Hara Books: Hogwarts or Hogwash? by Peter Furst and Craig Heilmann - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: St Therese of Lisieux: from Lisieux to the Four Corners of the World - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: 'The Martyrdom Of Blessed George Haydock:' by Barry Coldrey and Leo Griffin - Catholic Weekly (reviewer) Centre for Thomistic Studies, Sydney, to offer degree courses - John Young New Titles from AD Books Reflection: NCC Mass of Thanksgiving: Archbishop Hart's homily - Archbishop Denis Hart

John McLean's claim (December/January AD2000) that Afghan and Iraqi boat people had no chance to apply for residence through proper channels is hard to believe. These people did not come directly from their homelands, but passed through other countries, including Indonesia, where appropriate enquiries could have been initiated.

Pope John Paul's quotation is not appropriate to this debate. The current immigration debate is not about the number of immigrants, but about common justice in their selection and processing. Immigration Department figures tell us that last year eight thousand poor souls, barely surviving the squalor of overseas refugee camps, were denied admittance to Australia because "queue jumpers" took their places. Who is responsible for closing the door on these foreigners who came knocking?

Australia can be proud of its history in the matter of resettlement. On a population basis we are second only to Canada in immigrant intake. Moreover, we can be proud of our record in accepting immigrants into mainstream Australian life.

GEORGE SIMPSON
North Blackburn, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 1 (February 2002), p. 14